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Quick Guide to Trails in the Falls Creek Area in Durango, Colorado

We’ve outlined some of our favorite hiking trails in the Falls Creek area to make it easier for you to pick a trail that’s right for you!

Hiking In Sedona: What You Should Know

To get you prepped for your hike in Sedona, we’ve compiled advice into a detailed guide on what to expect when going for a hike in Sedona.

Snowshoeing in Durango: Our 7 Favorite Trails

Snowshoeing in Durango, Colorado this season? Here’s a few of our favorite snowshoeing trails for your next Microadventure in Durango!

Our 10 Favorite Places to Hike in Tucson, AZ

As you’re planning you Tucson, Arizona trip, here are our 10 favorite places to hike with trails around Tucson.

Snowshoeing in Boulder: Our 7 Favorite Trails

Snowshoeing in Boulder, CO this Winter? We’ve compiled a list of our favorite snowshoeing trails to explore in and around the Boulder area.

5 Best Portable Induction Cookers For RVs and Vans

To aid you in your next Microdventure, we have compiled a list of the 5 best portable Induction Cookers for your RV or van.

Our 10 Favorite Family-Friendly Hikes in the Grand Canyon

If you’re considering hiking with your family in the Grand Canyon, here are our 10 favorite family-friendly hiking trails.

What is Car Camping?

Trying to figure out what car camping is and why so many people are doing it? Here we define car camping for you in a simple way.

Car Camping Packing List for Your Microadventure

To aid in getting you set for your next car camping trip, here’s a list of essential and luxury things to pack.

Payson, AZ Free Dispersed Camping Areas

In order to help you narrow down where to camp, here’s a list of our favorite free, dispersed camping spots and areas around Payson, Arizona.

Flagstaff Free Dispersed Camping Map

To help make a decision on where to camp around Flagstaff, AZ, here’s a map of our favorite free, dispersed camping areas and spots.

Our 10 Favorite Hiking Trails in Flagstaff

Looking to go hiking in Flagstaff? Here’s a brief list of our favorite hikes and hiking trails in Flagstaff, Arizona.

A Guide to Camping in Sedona

The famous Red Rock Country city that is Sedona, Arizona. For those who haven’t visited, Sedona is a mecca for Microadventures. With miles of hiking and biking trails, climbing, and towering red sandstone views, you could spend a lifetime exploring Sedona and not see...

Sedona Free Dispersed Camping and Campgrounds Map

Trying to figure out where to camp around Sedona, AZ? We built a map of our favorite established campgrounds and dispersed camping areas.

Our 10 Favorite Hiking Trails in Sedona

With over 200 miles of trails, there’s a lot to choose from in Sedona, Arizona! Here’s a brief list of our favorite hikes in Sedona.

FAQS About Antelope Canyon in Arizona

Found just outside of Page, Arizona, Antelope Canyon is arguably the most famous slot canyon in Arizona, Utah, or even the United States. As you can imagine, Antelope Canyon is a happening place throughout the year seeing an average of four million visitors annually.

With all of the traffic Antelope Canyon sees, there is a lot of confusion about this mythical place. In order to help those who are looking to hike or visit Antelope Canyon, we put together a post answering the most frequently asked questions.



Where is Antelope Canyon Located in Arizona?

Antelope Canyon can be found on the Navajo Indian Reservation, which is approximately five miles to the east of Page in the state of Arizona. To give you a better idea, this area is to the southeast of Lake Powell.

If you happen to be staying in Flagstaff, Arizona, you will need to drive about 130 miles to reach Antelope Canyon.

Your journey to Antelope Canyon will always begin over in Page though. Therefore, you will want to put that area into your GPS for your drive. You can also enter the address of the Navajo Tribal Office, which is on Coppermine Road. This office is about three miles to the south of Page and will get you in the general area.

Do I need a permit or tour to hike Antelope Canyon?

Yes, you must have a permit and a tour guide in order to hike to Antelope Canyon. While you may not be happy about this in the beginning, once you realize how much you will see and learn with your guide, you will quickly change your mind.

During your hiking tour of Antelope Canyon, you will learn about the history and geology of the canyon. You will also get to hear many of the Navajo Cultural stories that have been told about the canyon over the years.

How much are permits and tours to Antelope Canyon?

There is a flat fee of $8 for the permit to Antelope Canyon. As for the price of the tours, those vary according to the tour company and what is offered. From what I have discovered through my extensive research is that the cost of a tour to Antelope Canyon ranges anywhere from $40 to $200 per person. Most of the time, the cost of your tour will include your permit ticket price, but you will want to verify that beforehand.

If you are a photographer, you may want to sign up for one of the photography tours, even though they cost a lot more. These tours will allow you to spend longer at the canyon, as you try to capture the perfect picture. Plus, the photographer tours are not as crowded.

If you are not a photographer, you can easily choose one of the cheaper tour options. You will quickly learn that more of these tour options are available each day, but they will have a lot of people in each one.




Where can I order tickets for a tour?

You can easily order tickets for your tour from several outfitters. However, before booking your tickets for a tour, you must know whether you want to tour the Upper Canyon, Lower Canyon, or both during your visit.

You can no longer arrive at any of the Antelope Canyon tour offices to purchase a ticket the day you want to take your tour. If you cannot find the tickets you want at the above website, you can check with the few other verified tour companies and book with them online.

The companies I recommend include:

How long and difficult is the hike at Antelope Canyon?

The Upper Antelope Canyon Trail is only 0.3 miles round trip and the trail is very easy to walk along. The Lower Antelope Canyon Trail is a little longer at .5 miles round trip. That trail is also easy to walk along, but you must be prepared to climb up and down the metal ladders to get in and out of the Lower Canyon.

Which is Better: Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon?

These two canyons are the same in many ways. However, there are a couple of slight differences that will have you choosing one over the other. The light shining in through the Upper Antelope Canyon makes it a popular option for those who want to see what has long been called the “beam of light phenomenon”. However, that beam of light brings many more people to this canyon that the other one.

While you may be ready to venture over to the Lower Antelope Canyon to avoid those crowds, you must be aware that there are ladders you must climb up and down to reach the inside of the Lower Canyon. Those ladders are what make many people choose to explore the Upper Antelope Canyon instead.

Basically, there is no right or wrong choice when it comes to the two slot canyons.

You can choose to see whichever one you want and will love every minute of it. If you are still struggling to make a decision though, see them both and then determine which one is your personal favorite!




When is the best time of year to hike Antelope Canyon?

The best time to hike to Antelope Canyon is the months of April through October. The light photographs the best though from the months of April through September, so plan your trip accordingly if you are going to be taking pictures.

You can hike during the other months of the year. Just keep in mind that there could be flooding during those other months and your journey may be canceled due to the weather.

When is the best time of day to hike Antelope Canyon?

There are a couple of times of the day that are the best for hiking to Antelope Canyon. The best time for pictures is the middle of the day because that is when the sun is streaming into the Upper Antelope Canyon from above. If you are trying to avoid the crowds, it is best to visit either of the canyons during the earliest tours or wait until the very last tour of the day.

Conclusion

For the first-timers, hopefully, this post answered some of the basic questions regarding Antelope Canyon. We hope that we’ve provided enough guidance for you to make a decision of when to visit, how to prepare, and how to enjoy Antelope Canyon.

Resources

Nick The Rambling Man

Nick The Rambling Man

Nick is the owner and regular content writer for Southwest Microadventures. When he’s not writing, you can find him rock climbing, peak bagging, mountain biking, backpacking, or drinking strong coffee.

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